Tuesday, March 5, 2019

RAYS St. Paddy's Day Drinks - Better Green Beer and the Texan Pot O' Gold

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This is a collaboration with RAYS. I was compensated for this post but all opinions are my own and I would never promote a product I didn't personally enjoy.

I grew up in Massachusetts and went to school in Boston and let me tell you, we were serious about our St. Patrick's Day. The event would last all weekend, capped off with a wild St. Paddy's Day parade. While the Boston one was pretty great, the one I grew up with was in Holyoke (both very big Irish populations). Upon turning 21, the fun deepened as I was able to enjoy all the fun libation that went along with the holiday--sometimes, admittedly, a bit too much.

Here in Texas, it's a bit different. Not only is St. Paddy's Day not as widely celebrated, but it stays mild all year round. So when St. Paddy's Day hits, we're not looking for something heavy. We like cooler, lighter flavors to compliment the warmer temps.




So when RAYS reached out to come up with some St. Patrick's Day cocktails, I was a bit stumped! Their delicious, all natural spirits are distilled from grapes and use real citrus to give a light, fresh flavor that's a bit tart. And they're native to Texas! Not what I was used to for the season.

Eventually, I decided to both update an old favorite, and make a Texas tribute to my ol' New England holiday. Let me know what you think!

Want to get some RAYS for yourself? You can now find them in HEB and Central Market!



Better Green Beer
Nobody REALLY likes green beer, but we drink it anyway. Kick it up with some RAYS and this is a St. Patrick's day staple you'll actually want to drink.

  • 1 can of your favorite light beer
  • 4 oz RAYS lime
  • 3 drops green food coloring

In a frosty beer mug, carefully add the food coloring and RAYS. Slowly pour in the beer--the motion of the liquid should disperse the color--and serve!
*Add some cayenne salt from the recipe below for an extra kick!


Texan Pot o' Gold
Lure in a Leprechaun with this Texas gold and maybe he'll share a bit of his treasure with you... and if not, you still have a tasty drink!

  • 2.5 oz RAYS lime
  • 1 oz grapefruit juice
  • 2 oz gold tequila
  • splash of orange juice
  • Cayenne pepper + salt, for rim

Rim a martini glass with the cayenne salt. In a shaker filled with ice, pour in the rest of the ingredients, shake well, then pour into the glass.
*I added a pinch of tumeric for color and it complimented the flavors nicely!



Saturday, March 2, 2019

Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide 2019 - North Central Austin Restaurants

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Central Austin is where I call home, so I was very excited to snag this year's City Guide for it! Check out some of my favorite places to nosh in my neighborhood.


Kome - I adore sushi, and consider myself very somewhat of an expert. In that, I can tell fresh from not-so-fresh, and close-to-the-sea to definitely-not. And since arriving in Austin, Kome has been my hands-down favorite. Their happy hour specials are incredible, their sake is delicious, and my fish-hating-fisherman-husband (figure that one out) has multiple things on the menu he'll consume. Their house rolls are my favorite, but the best deal on the menu is the sushi lunch. This was the place that truly won me over with nigiri, and I will be forever grateful.


Kura - So, I know I just said Kome was my fave BUT Kura is a very very very close second. I was all ready for the level of quality that you expect from a sort of gimmicky concept--conveyor belt sushi--but was blown away by the freshness of the sushi for how inexpensive and fun the entire experience was. Definitely a solid place to go for an inexpensive meal, and yes they do have more than just sushi here.

Photo cred: Feed This House

Quality Seafood - I'm a New England girl, born and raised, and one thing I sorely miss from my home state is... well, quality level seafood. And thankfully, Quality Seafood lives up to the name. Though I haven't been able to visit for a lobster bake, the chowder makes my heart happy, and the fish dishes are a wonderful option if you want a non-sushi seafood in town.

Photo cred: Foodie is the New Forty

HEO - Not sure if it was simply a rebrand or a total pivot but I swear this place started as a BBQ joint. Either way, I hear amazing things about their Asian Street Food menu! Tucked away into an unassuming storefront, HEO is one of those somewhat hidden treasures of the neighborhood despite being right on Lamar.

Arpeggio - The jury's out on the overall experience of the restaurant itself but one thing everyone can agree on is that the food is top notch. I feel like we keep losing the small, family-owned Mediterranean restaurants in town, so I do hope Arpeggio sticks around. I love a good gyro and Arpeggio does it right. It's also the best place in town to get a good Greek pizza! If you don't know the difference between NY/Chicago/Greek style, you need to educate yourself. And relish in the crispy, thick crust. Yum.

Photo cred: Foodie is the New Forty

Ramen Tatsu-ya - There's a line out the door for a reason. While it's not nearly as long as it's South Lamar counterpart, it's still a wait--but one worth waiting for. This was my first introduction to Ramen and it still holds a special place in my heart. They have a few different broths to choose from, but the standout for me is the tonkasu, a thick dipping broth with noodles. Also one of the best brussels sprouts offerings in town!



Michi Ramen - Don't tell Tatsu-ya, but this is my favorite ramen in town. Also, don't tell the people in line at Tatsu-ya because I like being sat immediately ;) Their broths are mostly pork, and the stout broth is the clear standout in my opinion. The sides are perfectly complimentary to the large, savory bowls. And don't miss their Wednesday sake deals! Each month a different flavor is highlighted and they are certainly unique--and tasty!



Royal Jelly - Solid happy hour, plenty of outdoor seating, and a unique menu makes this a decent hangout spot if you decide the line at Kura across the street is too much. I was tickled by the drink that came in the tiny Topo Chico bottle. It turns out their menu was recently revamped, including a duck poutine that the mere thought of is making my mouth water. I need to head back and check it out again!


Ola Poke - This was one of the first dedicated Poke spots in Austin but it's held its place as one of the best ever since. Fresh fish, tasty accouterments, and decent spicy wings for those weirdos among us who, for whatever reason, don't like raw fish. Snag a bowl and do karaoke next door for the perfect out of the box date or fun Saturday afternoon.


Brentwood Social - Their coffee is awesome but their pastries are where it's AT. Delicious, delicate, and both savory and sweet. I don't know what else to say other than it's the perfect place to meet up with a friend for crumpets and tea, or sip wine on the patio while your kids play in the backyard area.


T22 - Lucy's may have the heart of most Austinite's but T22 has my taste buds. It hits the spot for anyone who is craving the tongue-burning deliciousness of Nashville Hot Chicken. You can choose your level of heat, or go with a straight up "wimpy" with none, and the enormous pieces of juicy chicken will come out perfectly seasoned with your choice of dipping sauce on the side to cool the heat. And where most chicken joints seem to forget their sides, T22 does each one perfectly. This is hands down my favorite fried chicken in town!



Black Star Coop - I came here originally for three reasons: 1. close to my improv rehearsal spot, 2. they pay their workers a living wage, 3. beer. At that point, the food being amazing was a great surprise! I love the fish and chips, which come out perfectly battered and crispy with thick-cut fries, or the chicken snack and homemade ranch. Their beer selection is just as good, and the patio with board games makes for a very fun night.


Vigilante - A gamer and a foodie walk into a bar. Both are happy at Vigilante. Their slider menu allows you to taste a whole bunch of tasty bites while you challenge other bar patrons to a round of Super Smash Brothers. $14 gets you your choice of nearly four items on the menu which is an awesome deal, letting you get a taste of everything they have to offer!

Hank's - Frose brings me in, the food makes me stay. Hank's has had a few growing pains as they've rolled out but I know they'll soon be a neighborhood favorite! Great happy hour, delicious food, extensive drink menu, and perfectly crafted cocktails. Plus the decor is clean and bright with a lovely patio. A definite win!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide for 2019!